BILL NUMBER: ACR 40	CHAPTERED  05/27/99

	RESOLUTION CHAPTER   42
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE   MAY 27, 1999
	ADOPTED IN SENATE   MAY 25, 1999
	ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY   APRIL 29, 1999

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Wayne

                        APRIL 5, 1999

   Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 40--Relative to the Fourth of
July.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   ACR 40, Wayne.  Fourth of July.
   This measure would memorialize that July 4, 1999, be fully
observed in this state as Independence Day.




   WHEREAS, Two hundred twenty-three years ago, on June 11, 1776, the
Continental Congress appointed a committee to draft a document
proclaiming American sovereignty, naming Thomas Jefferson, John
Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston to the
committee; and
   WHEREAS, The committee, with Jefferson doing by far most of the
work, finished its task in 17 days and produced the Declaration of
Independence, which was published on July 4, 1776; and
   WHEREAS, The Declaration of Independence is a document that
Pauline Maier has described as "... an organic expression of an
emerging polity rooted in centuries of English law, growing out of
the colonial experience and flowering in American aspirations toward
life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness," and that Abraham
Lincoln called "the father of all moral principles"; and
   WHEREAS, The fact that the Fourth of July is called Independence
Day could explain why the Fourth has always been America's favorite
holiday, because Independence Day is our birthday and we celebrate
birthdays; and
   WHEREAS, There have always been speeches on this holiday and
usually a parade, and fireworks were added a long, long time ago,
followed by picnics and flags and bunting, and today we have floats
and costumes, food, game booths, arts and crafts, and entertainment,
and games, barbecues, gunnysack races, egg races, one- and
three-legged hopping contests, and bicycle contests, to name a few;
and
   WHEREAS, One president, Calvin Coolidge, was born on the Fourth of
July, and three presidents, two of whom signed the Declaration of
Independence, died on the Fourth of July:  Thomas Jefferson, John
Adams, and James Monroe; and
   WHEREAS, Outside of the fun and all the celebration, the Fourth of
July is truly one of those moments when we remember the origins of
our freedoms, a time when we understand our rights and
responsibilities, and a time when we pay tribute to the Declaration
of Independence, the document that led to a way of life envied all
over the world; and
   WHEREAS, We forget just how much those who signed the document
stood to lose and what great risks they took as they put their
fortunes and their lives on the line, doing so in the face of those
who told them that they ought to be cautious, but since they were
brave, daring men, freedom and justice far outweighed caution in
their minds and in their acts; and
   WHEREAS, The Declaration of Independence reflects our nation's
founding and heritage, as alive and vital today as it was 223 years
ago; now, therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
thereof concurring, That July 4, 1999, be fully observed in this
state as Independence Day; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Legislature of the State of California
encourages all Californians to participate in the appropriate
programs and activities and celebrations in recognition of our nation'
s birthday; and be it further
   Resolved, That all Californians are urged to take a moment to
remember those brave men who signed the Declaration of Independence
223 years ago; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of
this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
